I am unfair, informal and biased;
I am a sham and completely unauthorised.
My history can be traced to the 19th century;
But I can be very relevant today.
Part of my name comes from legal maxims and common law;
Whilst another is derived from judges hopping from place to place.

What am I?

Answer

A Kangaroo Court

A kangaroo court or kangaroo trial is a deceptive legal proceeding or court. It may be a court that has had its integrity compromised; for example, if the judge is not impartial. It may also be an elaborately scripted event intended to appear fair while having the outcome predetermined from the start. The phrase seems to have originated during the California Gold Rush from the notion of proceeding 'by leaps' like the Kangaroo.Hide

What an aptly named situation! I have never heard of Kangaroo Court, but it's relevancy can be seen in a variety of proceedings happening today. (lmurray - I can see it, good 'ol boy meetings still take place even with sunshine laws).
Thanks for teaching me something new!
Have a wonderful day everyone!!! =)

I was thinking judgemental/Women's rights. I should have gotten it with Skippy the Kangaroo.
I am familiar with the Kangaroo court. Good one again Jazz.

To Doehead "If everybody were the same, life would be boring. Education doesn't necessarily make you smarter. I believe life& trying to learn somethingnew every day helps. Hi-School Grad + just Having fun & learning more on this site . This is" not a Dis" in any way.